nding of her views on the subject, her malice proved
futile.

When her worst fears were confirmed, however, and we actually
descended into the forecastle; there ensued such a reckless shaking
of the ropes, that Samoa was fain to hold on hard, for fear of being
tossed out of the rigging. And it was this violent rocking that
caused the loud creaking of the yards, so often heard by us while
below in Annatoo's apartment.

And the fore-top being just over the open forecastle scuttle, the
dame could look right down upon us; hence our proceedings were
plainly revealed by the lights that we carried. Upon our breaking
open her strong-box, her indignation almost completely overmastered
her fears. Unhooking a top-block, down it came into the forecastle,
charitably commissioned with the demolition of Jarl's cocoa-nut, then
more exposed to the view of an aerial observer than my own. But of it
turned out, no harm was done to our porcelain.

At last, morning dawned; when ensued Jarl's discovery as the occupant
of the main-top; which event, with what followed, has been duly recounted.

And such, in substance, was the first, second, third and fourth acts
of the Parki drama. The fifth and last, including several scenes,
now follows.

CHAPTER XXVIII
Suspicions Laid, And Something About The Calmuc

Though abounding in details full of the savor of reality, Samoa's
narrative did not at first appear altogether satisfactory. Not that
it was so strange; for stranger recitals I had heard.

But one reason, perhaps, was that I had anticipated a narrative quite
different; something agreeing with my previous surmises.

Not a little puzzling, also, was his account of having seen islands
the day preceding; though, upon reflection, that might have been the
case, and yet, from his immediately altering the Parki's course, the
Chamois, unknowingly might have sailed by their vicinity. Still,
those islands could form no part of the chain we were seeking. They
must have been some region hitherto undiscovered.

But seems it likely, thought I, that one, who, according to his own
account, has conducted himself so heroically in rescuing the
brigantine, should be the victim of such childish terror at the mere
glimpse of a couple of sailors in an open boat, so well supplied,
too, with arms, as he was, to resist their capturing his craft, if
such proved their intention? On the contrary, would it not have been
more natural, in his dreary situation,